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Zlatan backs Pogba despite slow United start

Manchester United’s Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic (centre) hcelebrates on of his four United goals with Paul Pogba. PHOTO/AFP

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, Sep 13- Zlatan Ibrahimovic has backed Paul Pogba to shine for Manchester United, despite the midfielder’s slow start to life at Old Trafford following his record move.

Pogba struggled in Saturday’s Manchester derby as United lost 2-1 to rivals Manchester City. He was criticised by Sportsmail columnist Jamie Carragher for an ill-disciplined performance on Monday night.

The 23-year-old has also not scored or made an assist since returning to the club that he left to join Juventus in 2012.

However, Ibrahimovic believes the £100million man will shine and prove ‘jealous’ people wrong, but admitted the pressure on the France international must be enormous.

The Swedish striker told SFR Sport: ‘I did not know Paul before and now I know him personally, he is a boy who works hard, he wants to progress and has a good attitude.

‘But he is still young and all the jealous people talking about him will swallow every word they said about him because he will only get better.

‘You have to be realistic, people are putting a lot of pressure on Paul. His transfer created a huge amount of buzz.’

Pogba has featured in every Premier League game for United, barring the opening game against Bournemouth.

The Old Trafford club are fourth in the English top flight, despite losing Saturday’s game to City.

They return to action in the Europa League on Thursday with a trip to Dutch side Feyenoord, before taking on Watford at Vicarage Road on Sunday.